Apple's long-rumoured foldable iPhone is expected to join the company's autumn 2026 handset range, with a likely unveiling in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Although it has been informally labelled the “iPhone Fold” in leaks, Apple's final naming choice remains unclear, and the company is unlikely to mirror Samsung's established “Galaxy Fold” branding.
Ahead of its launch, here are some of the key design features it is expected to have.
Apple To Abandon Dynamic Island For Hole-Punch Front Camera Cutout
Apple may be preparing to introduce a front camera layout it has never used before. The hole-punch cutout, ubiquitous among Android handsets, has yet to appear on any iPhone.
ALSO READ: Apple iPhone Fold 'Most Significant Overhaul In iPhone's History,' Says Mark Gurman
Instead, the company has leaned on its Dynamic Island design in recent years, a feature expected to shrink slightly on the iPhone 18 Pro. However, it still occupies far more screen space than a minimalist punch-hole, and the iPhone 17e continues to feature a sizeable notch.
According to 9to5Mac, that could change with the foldable iPhone, which is widely expected to adopt a single, centrally aligned hole-punch for the front-facing camera.
New Display Size, Orientation
The foldable iPhone could introduce a radically different approach to screen size and layout, setting it apart from Apple's existing lineup. Both displays, outer and inner, are tipped to feature unconventional proportions.
Leaked CAD (Computer-Aided Design) renders point to a cover screen that stretches wider than standard iPhone displays, unfolding into an interior panel that prioritises width over height. In practice, the design is expected to evoke the feel of a small book rather than a typical smartphone, reported 9to5Mac.
Although some have likened the inner display to that of the iPad mini, the comparison falls short of capturing what Apple is reportedly developing.
A Clean Left Edge Could Be Key To The Hinge And Internal Layout
Apple's rumoured foldable iPhone may do away with controls on one side altogether. The left edge, long home to volume keys and the Action Button, is said to be stripped of any physical buttons.
According to tipster Instant Digital, the device's motherboard sits on the right-hand side, making it less practical to extend connections across the display. Consequently, the left edge is expected to be dedicated primarily to the screen assembly and battery. For users, the absence of familiar controls may require a period of adjustment, though the transition to a foldable device is likely to be the bigger shift.
Also Read: Apple Turns 50: Steve Jobs To Jony Ive And Tim Cook, 11 Visionaries Who Shaped The Company
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
